Eric once said that it was at a very early age that he discovered the exciting, magical world of the theatre. He recalled fond memories of his grandfather encouraging him to read aloud from the works of Shakespeare, Dickens and Mark Twain, whilst his parents also influenced him greatly, taking him on frequent visits to the cinema and Hanley’s Theatre Royal and old Grand Theatre.
 
Eric’s first appearance on stage was as the Town Crier in an infant school production of Cinderella, and during his later childhood years, spent in the village of Cliffe Vale, he would ‘put on’ his own back yard shows, invariably a re-enactment of what he had seen in his later theatre or cinema visit.
 
As a dedicated Boy Scout with Hartshill Troop he appeared in the very first Potteries Scout Revue, the infamous ‘Screamline’. He also joined his local youth drama group, but after appearances in a handful of undistinguished plays was called up for military service.
 
Whilst serving with the 8th Army – the Desert Rats – in North Africa and Italy, he was not slow in making his mark and becoming everyone’s favourite performer in his Regimental Concert Party.
 
On his return to civilian life, Eric was soon busy with rehearsals for the first post-war ‘Screamline’. It was 1946, and it marked the beginning of a long and happy association with the Birches Head based New Era Players, with whom he appeared in over 40 major productions. These included 'The Miser', 'Juno and the Paycock', 'The Little Foxes' and 'The Importance of Being Earnest'. His favourite role was Willy Loman in Arthur Miller’s 'Death of a Salesman' which the New Era Players presented ‘in the round’ at the Victoria Theatre, Hartshill.
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When the New Era Players disbanded in 1969 Eric was invited to join the Rep, making his debut in 'The Philadelphia Story'. He followed this performance with mostly comedy roles including Hardcastle in 'She Stoops To Conquer', Harvey in 'Season’s Greetings', Crabtree in 'The School for Scandal', Selsdon in 'Noises Off', Hobson in 'Hobson’s Choice' and Al Lewis in 'The Sunshine Boys'.
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Not all Eric’s work was confined to the theatre: he played in a score of BBC Midland Radio drama productions, was a frequent contributor to Radio Stoke and did extra work on television programmes such as 'All Creatures Great and Small', 'Boon', 'Chancer' and the children’s series 'Woof'.
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Eric’s wife, Nada, was also a member of the Rep performing on stage and volunteering to help out with the Refreshment Committee.
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One of Eric’s final performances was at the new theatre on Leek Road where he reprised his role of Selsdon in 'Noises Off' in 1997.
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